Artist Feature: Riso Geist
Derek and Brighton in their sunny Salt Lake City based Studio. photos by Nate Burridge.
Run by Derek and Brighton Ballard
How many drums are you running and what colors?
16 drums:
Black, Metallic Gold, Blue, Medium Blue, Bright Red, Purple, Teal, Hunter Green, Kelly Green, Orange, Flo Pink, Light Grey, Sunflower, Bubblegum, Aqua and Mint.
Model of Machine? We have two RZ590's, one RP 3105 and one GR 2750
How long have you been printing with RISO? Since 2017
What advice would you give to someone looking to get started with RISO printing?
Reach out to the ever so friendly community for guidance and advice. Be patient, put in some research time and really learn the different strengths and limitations of risograph printing. Riso might not be for everyone, but it really has such a knowledgeable and sharing community to help along the way. And of course go to Hallagan's for your inks!
What is your favorite RISO ink color to print with and why?
Maybe because it is still fairly new to us, but I have really liked printing with aqua. It has a good range of versatility in printing on both light and dark stocks. Contrasty enough for text and keylines, but also makes such a cool base color.
What project have you created on your riso that you are most proud of?
We are very proud of an illustration zine we did for Graham Erwin (incredible Brooklyn, NY based artist) a few years back. It was Sunflower, Orange and Blue inks on Madero Beach Speckletone paper stock. We printed it in our small living room using the scanning bed, before we had interface capabilities. It was very challenging due to the amount of ink coverage and double-sided printing. Even though we have grown a lot since then, I still look back on that project with a sense of accomplishment. We have more resources, studio space and learned skills now, but I don't think I'd change anything about that zine, it turned out so well.
Name another risograph printer whose studio space or work inspires you:
Very inspired by the creative work Macao based studio Naughty Roll cranks out. So good! @naughty.roll
Is there anything else you would like the world to know about yourself?
My partner Brighton and I fell in love with risograph while living in Austria and being exposed to many riso printed zines and posters. We feel lucky to be able to pursue and share our love for it back home in Salt Lake City, Utah. Our website is risogeist.com, our social is @risogeist and our printed products can be found at neuergeist.com
